weinheim



E. WtINHElM.

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SMOOTH SURFACED COATING ON TEXTILE FABRICS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 3. ISJIL.

1,3 13,655. lutentml Aug. 1?), 1919.

V x I if Om". 1 1m N a N cally impossible.

UNITED STATS PATENT @FFIQE.

EMIL WEINHEIM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PROCESS .AITD APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SlrIOOTl-I-SURFACED COATING ON TEXTILE FABRICS.

Specification 0! Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

Application filed May 3, 1919. Serial No. 294,437.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL WnINnmM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes and Ap aratus for Producing Smooth-Surfaced oating on Textile Fabrics, set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to the coating of textile fabrics for the production of substitute leather, washable table coverings, and the like. For some purposes it is extremely desirable to have a finished product, the coated surface of which is absolutely smooth like that of lazed paper. Heretofore the production 0 such a surface on a coated commercial textile fabric has been practi- Commercial textile fabrics commonly'employed as a body for substitute leather of this class have decidedly irregular surfaces, it being understood that the expression textile fabric is employed technically to mean woven or knitted goods. The crossing threads of a textile fabric present depressions or interstices between the projections of the outerlying bends in the threads. The common method of coating a textile fabric has been the spreading of a suitable dope over the surface of a proressing strip by means of a doctor blade.

. Such a coating in the finished product has not been smooth but has conformed more or less to the irregularities on the surface of the textile fabric employed. To disguise this surface texture it has been customary to emboss the coated surface or impart an imitation leather-like grain to it, or to cover it, commonly in mottled colors so that the artificial disguise would, in a measure, distract attention from the ever-present textile texture on the surface.

On a small scale, byno means commercially practicable, however, smooth surfaced coatings have been applied to textile fabrics. The method of procedure has been either to form a sheet of dope of even thickness on a glass plate or on a sheet of the finest lawn, from which the sheet of dope was peeled after it had set, calendered smooth, and then cemented to the surface of the textile fabric. Such process was of course limited relatively to small pieces of textile fabric and was slow and expensive.

An object of the present invention is to produce a smooth surfaced coating of suitable dope on a commercial textile fabric by a continuous, cheap, commercial process. The desired smooth surface is one which is really smooth and completely conceals the irregularities of the body of textile fabric which is coated. In carryin out the invention it is purposed to emp oy that phenomenon in ph sics known as surface tension. It is wel known that if two fluids of materially different specific gravity are in contact, the heavier fluid acquires what may be termed a molecular skin in which there is considerable tension normal to the surface between the fluids known as surface tension. This surface tension has the tendency to produce a surface or plane of demarcation between the two fluids of minimum extent. For example, this surface tension in a soap bubble causes the bubble to assume spherical form. Surface tension be tween such fluids as the dope employed to coat the textile fabric and air tends to produce an absolutely plane, smooth surface, provided the body of textile fabric is itself maintained flat. In carrying out the invention to employ this phenomenon of surface tension in a continuous coating process, it is an objective to drag along through suitable apparatus a strip of the desired textile fabric, a portion or portions of which are progressively maintained fiat but in an inclined position. These inclined portions of the progressing textile fabric are then flowed with a suitable surface coating dope in sufficient quantity to fill the interstices on the surface of the textile fabric and bridge over the projecting threads and to cause the molecular skin of the coating to be free from contact with any irre ularity on the surface of the fabric. During and after the flowing of the progressing fabric, conditions are maintained to preserve this molecular skin of the coating free from contact with any solid until the coating dope has set. As the coated fabric progresses, it is subjected to action capable of congealing the coating, such as the action of heat and exposure to the air. 'No doctor. blades or calender rolls are employed.

An important feature of the apparatus employed to carry out this process is the mechanism for producing the progressive. inclined portions in the fabric as it is drawn along. This mechanism is an elongated guide-way or double-inclined table in the shape of an A-roof, the ridge of which engages the center-line of the progressing strip of fabric, the opposite equal laps of which are held flat against the symmetrical sloping sides of the table. By the employment of such a symmetrical, roof-like structure,.the ridge of which engages the centerline of the progressing strip, no tendency for the strip ,to shift from one side to the other is present. By causing the surface coating dope to fiow onto the progressing fabric at the bend corresponding to the ridge of the guide-table, a flow transverse to the progress of the strip is obtained, which facilitates the initial application to the fabric of a coating of substantially uniform thickness so that the subsequent action of surface tension is suflicient to produce a truly smooth surface for the finished coating. A further object of the invention is to provide for the feeding of the textile fabric from a badger roll to the roof-like table and its subsequent continuous removal after coating from the roof-like table in flat condition suitable for winding in rolls.

The above and further objects of the invention will better be understood by reference to the illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and described inthe following specification.

In the drawings,

Figure '1 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing diagrammatically suitable ape par-atus for carrying out the process;

Fig. 2 is a left end elevation looking to- -ward the right from the left of Fig. 1'; and

Fig. 3 is a section with parts shown in vertical elevation through line IIIIII of Fig. 1. v

In carrying out the process, any suitable dope, which term is employed generically to denote any of the many surface coating materials employed in this art, may be used in the practice of this invention. For example, there are varnishes; oxidizable oil compounds suitable for producing oil cloths; or a solution of a soluble cellulose derivative, partly oxidized oils, gum, rubber, one or any combination of the same in any suitable volatile solvent, examples of which are alcohols, derivatives from the distillation of coal tars, wood oils and the like. If desired, the dopes may contain pigments, and coloring matter may be added to them if desired. The dope, to some extent, may be formed into an emulsion with substances in a pulverized state which do not actually form a solution. The chief characteristic of the preferred form of dope to be employed is that of being thinned with a volatile solvent. 7

In the preferred form of apparatus employed, a guide-table A, preferably from 60 'be smoothed and polished to eliminate friction. Between the localities 1 and 2, indicated in Fig. 1, the portion 1) of this table 1 is in the form of an elongated A-roof, the opposite inclined sides 3 and 4 of which are symmetrical about the vertical plane from the ridge 5. Running lengthwise and beneath this roof are steam pipes arranged to be connected in a suitable manner with a source of steam maintained at uniform heat on the guide-table A. These pipes may be supported in brackets 7 forming parts of the frames (1.

At the left or at the near end of-the central portion 6 of the table A is a ridgingplow c, the near edge 8 of which is cylindrically rounded with its surface elements horizontal and the sides 9 of which gradually blend from the edge 8 into the inclined walls 3 and 4 of the table portion 6. At the far end of the table portion 7) is a second flattening plow 01 similar to the plow 0 but functioning reversely, as will presently be described.

An endless carrier apron B of suitable fabric such as canvas passes over the entire length of the double-inclined guidetable A and its lower lap between the legs of the frame a over suitable idlers 10. This feed-apron B is preferably power-driven at both ends, at the far end by the friction drive 11, which may be suitably formed by covering an ordinary roll with card cloth,-

and at the near end by steam-heatable rolls 12 and 13 after passing under the idler 14. It should be understood that the necessary gearing and drive mechanism such as that indicated by e and f are to be provided and intergeared so that an equal and uniform feed at both ends of the apron B is accomplished.

' Suitably mounted and overlying the near end of the table A is a dopetank C having a control valve 15 ,and dope supplying spouts 1-6 and 17 disgorging at the vicinity of the ridge 5 of the table A. Along the eaves of the table A it is preferable to provide gutters 18' and 19, dischargeable through suitable leaders 20 into a reclamation receptacle 21.

1) indicates the usual badger roll of the strip 22 of textile fabric to be coated. It should be understood that the far end 23 of the strip 22 leads to the usual winding roll of this type of apparatus.

Operation.

The endless apron B is constantly driven in the direction of the arrows at a uniform, moderate speed. The near end of the apdouble-inclined guide-table A, its center line corresponding to the ridge 5. At the far endthis stri of textile fabric 22 is carried over the idler 25, where it is flattened out suitably for winding on a storage roll which may be power driven preferably with a friction drive to aid in the drag ing alon of the strip of fabric. The initial heating of the endless apron B serves to effect an initial drying of the strip of fabric to be coated, which is continued by the heat from the guide-table A. The tank 0 is filled with the desired coatin dope, the discharge of which is regulated y the valve 15, and which is caused to flow onto the strip 22 at the locality of its elevated ridge. As the strip of fabric is progressively dragged along, gravity causes the dope to flow downwardly, that is, transversely to the direction of feed of the strip of fabric, and by suitable regulation an extremely uniform initial coating is effected. Any excess (some excess being desired) of dope flows into the gutters 18 and 19 and thence into the reclamation vessel 21, to be used over again. In its continuous rogress over the elongated heated guide-ta 1e A, the action of the heat and air causes the coating to set, but not until after surface tension in the applied coating has smoothed out all ir-- regularities and imparted a remarkably smooth outer surface to the coated fabric. It is to be understood that no solid of any kind, scraper, roller or brush, is permitted to contact with the coated fabric. It is only the progressive portions of the textile fabric at the longitudinal locality 26 that are flowed with the dope. Gravity is relied upon to remove the excess and surface tension in the molecular skin of the applied layer of dope is relied upon to produce the desired smooth surface. Thus, it should be understood that it is rather the absence of mechanical spreaders and the like that makes the attainment of the invention possible or, stated differently, it is the production of such conditions that two of natures forces, surface tension and gravity, may work freely, in unison and in combina tion, to effect the result.

By the employment of the double-inclined guide-table A it should be noted that the opposite lateral laps 27 and 28 of the fabric strip 22 balance one another across the ridge 5 so that no tendency for the strip to be coated to shift laterally is present. This feature greatly enhances the commercial value of the apparatus, although it is of course to be understood that in the generic practice of the process there is no limitation to the employment of such specific apparatus. In fact, it should clearly be understood that, although a preferred embodiment ofapparatus for carrying out the process has been I illustrated and described, that no limitation beyond the full scope of the appended claims is contem-,

plated, as I believe that I am the first to produce commercially a smooth surfaced surface-coated textile fabric.

What I claim, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is 1. The method of producing a smooth surfaced covering of character converting dope upon a textile fabric having a characteristlc irregular surface comprising dragging along with a continuous movement a strip of said fabric while maintainin a progressive portion thereof at an inchne; flowing said lnclined portion with a congealing dope; and subjecting said flowed portion to a congealing action.

2. Producing a smooth surfaced coating on a textile fabric having a characteristic irregular surface by flowing the surface of said fabric in an inclined position with suitable dope and i'naintaining said flowed surface free from contact with any solid until said coating is set.

3. The method of producing a smooth surfaced coating on the irregular surface of a textile fabric comprising flowing the surface of said fabric with a suitable dope of sufficient amount to bridge its interstices and projections while exposed to the air so that a molecular surface skin on said dope is formed and permitting the surface tension of said molecular skin to produce a smooth surface during and after the setting of said dope.

4. The method of producing a smooth surfaced coating on the irregular surface of a textile fabric comprising progressively dragging along a strip of said textile fabric; forming a progressive, laterally inclined portion in said progressing strip; and flowing said progressive inclined portion with a suitable dope with the dire-'tion of flow transverse to the direction in which said strip is dragged along.

5. The method of producing a smooth surfaced coating on the irregular surface of a textile fabric comprising continuously dragging along a strip of fabric to be coated; forming downwardly inclined proabout a central elevated ridge; and flowing said progressive downwardly inclined flaps with suitable dope, the flow being from said &

ridge downward in a direction transverse to that in which said strip is dragged along.

6. Apparatus for producing a smooth surfaced coating on the irregular surface of a textile fabric comprising an elongated rooflike guide-table having opposite inclined sides symmetrical about a central, longitudinal ridge; and-means for feeding dope at the locality of said ridge.

7. Apparatus for producing a smooth surfaced coating on the irregular surface of a textile fabric comprising an elongated rooflike guide-table having opposite inclined sides symmetrical about a central, longitudinal ridge; an endless driven apron having a progressing portion conforming to and sliding along said guide-table for the purpose of conveying the strip of textile fabric to be coated; and means for feeding dope at the locality of said ridge.

In witness whereof I have signed my name to this specification this 2nd day of April,

a EMIL WEINHEIM. 

